Favorite Lounge on Edge for Pre-Dinner Drink

[ScottC4746]

On our first cruise we were on Solstice and we were part of a group that met in the World Class Bar (bartender had the personality of a wet rag) and lacked seating for a group, so we moved to the Martini Bar.  Loved the seats there albeit very low and if you plopped in the seats all the air would rush out, which the more martinis you have the funny this became.  I will leave it to your imagination as to what the sound resembled, but they were nice seats for a group.  I did not go to the Ensemble and which we had.

This time no group so it is just the two of us AND we are on the Edge.

This time no Ensemble Bar and again we are not retreat or aqua.  From what I see on line that leaves Martini, Magic Carpet (may be too cold for Alaska), The Club (too loud I dare say keep reading), Eden Bar, or Casino bar (12 years in Vegas I avoid the casino like the plague).

We are going to try something DH and I this time.  Meals together, on our own the rest of the time.  I like keeping busy with activities, DH wants to curl up with headphones and music and watch the ocean go by.  A drink before dinner would be our time to meet up and chat about the day with light background music.  Any suggestions for that?  Martini Bar was nice on Solstice but didn't seem like a nice romantic cocktail place like Ensemble appeared to be.

[C4HCG]

Cafe el Baccio is popular and is bigger on Edge than the Solstice so nice to sit in and chat. The seating around the dance floor in front of the Martini Bar nice too, but not quiet when the entertainment is on, but not overly loud either. We didn’t find the Club too noisy either unless there were noisy quizzes there.

 

We had read about Edge class ships being generally loud, we didn’t find that at all. We did 9 nights on the Edge last fortnight.

Edited May 15 by C4HCG

[ScottC4746]

2 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

Cafe el Baccio is popular and is bigger on Edge than the Solstice so nice to sit in and chat. The seating around the dance floor in front of the Martini Bar nice too, but not quiet when the entertainment is on, but not overly loud either. We didn’t find the Club too noisy either unless there were noisy quizzes there.

 

We had read about Edge class ships being generally loud, we didn’t find that at all. We did 9 nights on the Edge last fortnight.

I thought Cafe el Baccio was all coffee only.

[Straughn]

My go to bar is Eden. There is entertainment in the evening and on into the night. It is scheduled and you can see what times and what type on the daily schedule and on the app.  Sometimes it is a guitarist or a trio which plays more background type of music. Other times, there is a group with a vocalist. My experiences on Beyond, Edge, and Apex has been that the bartenders there are a lot of fun, but not to the extent of putting on shows like those in the Martini Bar. 

[C4HCG]

2 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

I thought Cafe el Baccio was all coffee only.

No, they serve beers too but not sure what other alcoholic drinks. It’s just one floor up from the Martini Bar so sure you could buy drinks there to take up.

[Northern Aurora]

30 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

I thought Cafe el Baccio was all coffee only.

 

Cafe al Bacio has wine and some coffee based mixed drinks (with alcohol).  It is much larger on E-class ships than on M- and S-class ships.

 

When we were on Edge last fall we found the service in Eden to be on the slow side.  We did enjoy the Martini bar.  The casino bar is rather dark for my taste but they did show cricket matches on their large TV which was a hit with folks from the UK, India and Australia.

[PTC DAWG]

Sunset Bar works for me..plus, you might see an actual sunset. 

[ScottC4746]

4 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Sunset Bar works for me..plus, you might see an actual sunset. 

Won't it be a bit cold in Alaska?

[miched]

It is best and easy to figure it out yourself.   Every cruise has different demographics.   The atmospheres in the bars also change with the time of day.  There is only the two of you.  Easy to wander around and find what suits you.  
 

Many of the bars do get crowded before dinner because of the Elite HH and get very loud.     Some like the Magic Carpet or Sunset but both are outside and do not appeal to those that are ready for dinner but there are nice views instead of looking at walls.    Can be nice if still in port and also for sail away .  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Liao]

1 hour ago, ScottC4746 said:

On our first cruise we were on Solstice and we were part of a group that met in the World Class Bar (bartender had the personality of a wet rag) and lacked seating for a group, so we moved to the Martini Bar.  Loved the seats there albeit very low and if you plopped in the seats all the air would rush out, which the more martinis you have the funny this became.  I will leave it to your imagination as to what the sound resembled, but they were nice seats for a group.  I did not go to the Ensemble and which we had.

This time no group so it is just the two of us AND we are on the Edge.

This time no Ensemble Bar and again we are not retreat or aqua.  From what I see on line that leaves Martini, Magic Carpet (may be too cold for Alaska), The Club (too loud I dare say keep reading), Eden Bar, or Casino bar (12 years in Vegas I avoid the casino like the plague).

We are going to try something DH and I this time.  Meals together, on our own the rest of the time.  I like keeping busy with activities, DH wants to curl up with headphones and music and watch the ocean go by.  A drink before dinner would be our time to meet up and chat about the day with light background music.  Any suggestions for that?  Martini Bar was nice on Solstice but didn't seem like a nice romantic cocktail place like Ensemble appeared to be.

My eyes hurt and I’m almost to tired to type but, Eden watch for solo or small ensemble.

[George C]

There is normally music at either Eden or next to the martini bar , I will be at the one that has the music.

[Georgia_Peaches]

12 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

Won't it be a bit cold in Alaska?

I plan to pack for the cold weather.  We love the sunset bar and also Lawn Club Grill.  We will spend time in both places as long as it's not raining.  I'm assuming the Sunset bar will be open, despite the cool weather...it will be a great place to watch the beautiful Alaska surroundings.  Having said that, it's probably not the best place to meet up for a pre-diner cocktail on an Alaskan cruise...I see it more for during the day while cruising the glacier.  I could be wrong.

 

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

@ScottC4746 are you laughing because I'm being naïve?  I've never been on an Alaskan cruise so I really don't know what to expect from the outdoor spaces.  Does 60 degrees in AK feel like 60 degrees in GA?  (that's the weather forecast for first week of June).  Genuinely asking...I'm already struggling with my packing 🙃

[ScottC4746]

1 minute ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

@ScottC4746 are you laughing because I'm being naïve?  I've never been on an Alaskan cruise so I really don't know what to expect from the outdoor spaces.  Does 60 degrees in AK feel like 60 degrees in GA?  (that's the weather forecast for first week of June).  Genuinely asking...I'm already struggling with my packing 🙃

No I am laughing with you and your comment, "Having said that, it's probably not the best place to meet up for a pre-diner cocktail on an Alaskan cruise."  Probably right about that.

 

[Lena11033]

1 hour ago, ScottC4746 said:

I thought Cafe el Baccio was all coffee only.

 

I've had in the past coffee with alcohol, baileys, some martinis (there are a few cocktails available)

 

I think some wine is available as well as beer

[Georgia_Peaches]

4 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

No I am laughing with you and your comment, "Having said that, it's probably not the best place to meet up for a pre-diner cocktail on an Alaskan cruise."  Probably right about that.

 

Gotcha...I'm really a little overwhelmed by the packing...maybe I just need to focus on cocktail hour like you ☺️.  I like that much better anyway!  When is your cruise?

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

44 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

Won't it be a bit cold in Alaska?

Not necessarily. I've been to AK on cruises where it was over 70 degrees almost every day.

[ScottC4746]

54 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Not necessarily. I've been to AK on cruises where it was over 70 degrees almost every day.

I'm the first week of June so I doubt I will be that lucky.

[Mariettte]

Cafe al Bacio had all cocktails available on the Edge last month, good table service. We met up there before dinner most nights and found it a great place, music coming up from the floor below but still able to talk. 

[crzndeb]

I’m on the Edge right now, and I have enjoyed both Martini Bar and Eden. With the music though, they can both be a bit difficult to have a conversation.

But once you’re on the ship, I’m sure you will be able to decide which bar works best for you.

Edited May 16 by crzndeb

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, ScottC4746 said:

I'm the first week of June so I doubt I will be that lucky.

Seems we are on the same cruise!

[Octavias]

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I plan to pack for the cold weather.  We love the sunset bar and also Lawn Club Grill.  We will spend time in both places as long as it's not raining.  I'm assuming the Sunset bar will be open, despite the cool weather...it will be a great place to watch the beautiful Alaska surroundings.  Having said that, it's probably not the best place to meet up for a pre-diner cocktail on an Alaskan cruise...I see it more for during the day while cruising the glacier.  I could be wrong.

 

 

I have water resistant pants.  I plan to spend time in outside spaces even if it rains!  

[BobbM81]

I love the martini bar area. There are multiple floors where you can see the action, but I prefer the bar level. The Edge/Apex bar is smaller than Beyond/Ascent, but it felt like similar seating away from the bar. 

[jelayne]

When the Martini bar was too crowded for a pre dinner drink on the Edge we went to the Casino bar.

It isn’t inside the casino, has TVs showing sports but no volume, so very little noise.  Great service.  There are some comfortable seats in a corner great to just sit have a drink and talk.

[ScottC4746]

9 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Seems we are on the same cruise!

15 more days YEAH!